We invite you to make a Christmas gift to the Lithuanian World Center to support today’s community and future generations.
December 1, 2025
Dear Supporter of the Lithuanian World Center,
The Lithuanian World Center is the largest Lithuanian cultural and community center outside of Lithuania. Founded in 1987, it remains a vital place for thousands of individuals and families who gather here to celebrate their Lithuanian identity through faith, education, sports, the arts, and other activities. From the beginning, the Center has been supported by generous donors like you who believe that quality spaces are essential to a healthy individual and a healthy community. Thank you for your continued belief in our mission and our work.
Thanks to the contributions of our generous donors and volunteers, as well as the dedication of our hardworking staff, we have had a successful year. In 2025, we continued providing affordable space to more than 50 Lithuanian organizations, organized 14 community events attended by over 5,000 guests, and completed 7 major capital improvement projects as well as countless smaller repairs. We also organized 5 Lithuanian heritage lectures and workshops in English that helped over 100 individuals reconnect with their Lithuanian roots.
This year, we published our first-ever Annual Report to provide a clear synopsis of our 2024 achievements and to help illustrate the positive impact of your donations. We also continued to review the user fees paid by our resident Lithuanian organizations, with the goal of providing affordable space while sustaining our ability to improve our facilities and programs. Since user fees do not fully cover our operating expenses, we rely on other sources of income, including your continued support, to make up the difference.
This spring, we launched our 2025 Annual Appeal to raise funds for several capital improvement projects, including the West-End Roof Replacement, Hill of Crosses Steps Replacement, and Sprinkler Installation in the Folk Art Wing. We are delighted to share that over 500 supporters contributed over $650,000 to the Appeal, helping us surpass our fundraising goal. Thank you! Even after reaching our goal, we welcome your continued support. Your contributions will be invested to fund future operations and improvements.
On behalf of everyone who benefits from your support, we thank you for your continued financial commitment. If you are able and willing to make a gift this holiday season—by check, online donation, vehicle donation, donor-advised fund, qualified charitable contribution, or gift of securities—we warmly welcome your generosity. Thank you again for being such an important part of our community. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Marius Polikaitis
Chairman
Dainius Petronis
President
Elena Reklaitis
Executive Director
Learn about the many different ways to financially support the Lithuanian World Center.
Make a one-time or monthly donation via credit card, bank transfer, Venmo, or Paypal.
Set up an automatic monthly donation via credit card or bank transfer.
Donate via Zelle by directing your contribution to the email address [email protected].
Fill out a paper donation form and send a check to the Lithuanian World Center.
Support the Lithuanian World Center through your DAF. We are a 501(c)(3) public charity in good standing with the IRS. EIN #36-3541882.
If you are 70.5 or older, consider supporting the Lithuanian World Center with a QCD from your individual retirement account (IRA).
Consider including the Lithuanian World Center in your estate plan. Planned gifts are a meaningful way to create a legacy that supports future generations. Examples include:
Donating appreciated securities can provide significant tax advantages while supporting the Lithuanian World Center. Contributions of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or ETFs can often be transferred directly from your brokerage account to ours. To initiate a gift of securities, please contact Elena Reklaitis by calling (630) 257-8787 to receive transfer instructions.
Ask your employer if the Lithuanian World Center is eligible for a matching gift.
Work with our partner CARS to donate your used vehicle and support the Lithuanian World Center.
Have questions about making a gift?
Whether you’re considering a future legacy gift or simply want to talk through your options, we’d be happy to connect. Please fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch soon. Prefer to speak with someone directly? Call us at (630) 257-8787 during office hours (Monday–Friday, 9AM–5PM).